Women Farmers’ Perception and Utilization of Marketing Information on Cassava in Osun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study ascertained the perception of women farmers’ on utilization of marketing information on cassava in Osun State, Nigeria.Multistage sampling technique was adopted in the selection of 110 women cassava farmers in Osun State. Data were collected from the women with the aid of structured interview schedule .Data analysis was carried out using frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation and Spearman rho correlation was used to establish relationships between selected variables. The identified sources of marketing information include: radio, husbands, extension agents and Cassava Growers Association. The most utilized marketing information was information on market days and market distance (WMS= 4.61) followed by information on best time to sell Cassava produced (WMS= 4.48) and information on preferred varieties of Cassava that attract high market price (WMS= 4.46) among others The women farmers were favourable in their perception on utilization of marketing information. Years of education (r= - 0.238, P< 0.05); farming experience (r= 0.654, P< 0.05) significantly influenced perception of women farmers on utilization of marketing information on cassava. It was recommended that the dissemination of marketing information by extension institutions be made available to women farmers in Osun State through the preferred sources of information such as radio, husbands and Cassava Growers Association.

Key words: Cassava marketing utilisation, women farmers